The Padres are signing outfielder Cal Mitchell to a minor league deal, reports Britt Ghiroli of the Athletic (X link). He’ll be in MLB camp as a non-roster invitee.
It’s a homecoming for the San Diego native. A product of Rancho Bernardo high school, he was a second round pick of the Pirates in 2017. Mitchell hit well enough in the low minors to hold a spot among the top 30 prospects in the Pittsburgh system for a few years. He carried that offensive success as high as Triple-A, where he posted a .339/.391/.547 line in 63 games in 2022.
That earned the left-handed hitter his first MLB opportunity. Mitchell didn’t produce much in that initial look, posting a .226/.286/.349 showing across 232 trips to the plate. The Bucs kept him on optional assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis for the majority of 2023. He didn’t find the same kind of success as he had there a year ago.
Mitchell hit .261/.333/.414 over 78 Triple-A contests this past season. His strikeout rate doubled, ending at an alarming 29.4% clip. He played in only two big league games and was designated for assignment in September. Mitchell cleared outright waivers and became a minor league free agent at season’s end.
Still just 24 (25 in March), Mitchell will battle for a spot in the San Diego outfield in exhibition. He’s limited to the corners. San Diego has Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. there but limited depth otherwise. Taylor Kohlwey occupies a 40-man roster spot after hitting .276/.390/.437 in Triple-A.
This guy had multiple 30+ homer seasons in my OOTP save file for no reason
If you want a corner outfielder, go see Cal…
Is he still playing with Tigers on the lot??
He stopped playing with the Tigers in 1984
For insurance purposes no doubt haha
Does he love orange soda? He do, he do, he do-ooh
Cal lOoOOoOveees orange soda!!!
Go see Cal, Go see Cal, Gol see Cal
All the greats are gone…Cal, Don Steve…Ken Grody.
P.S. People not from SoCal, do not search these people on baseball reference.
Got to be some old commercials with Cal Worthington and Ken Grody on YouTube.
and his dog Spot?
Another local man I see hah
Cal had a leg up on other used car dealers, Spot had doggystyle
Wow, that’s a blast from the past that only a select few would get! Love it (and those commercials)
I thought Mitchell might have a breakout if given the chance. He showed off decent raw power in 2022, and had a solid September. Plus he doesn’t strikeout too often.
Cal Worthington, Jack Stephen, Larry H. Parker, Jacoby & Meyer, Debbie Dootson all SoCal classics!
What was the article about?
Johnny Downs had gap power
I remember watching Mitchell in CIS games for the Broncos and thinking he had all the tools to make it other than maybe speed. Turns out he did make it to the majors but was not able to stick.
Can the Padres turn him around and get a useful major league backup out of him? That would be pretty cool to see the local kid make it good with his hometown team.
Good landing spot for Mitchell. SD has mega stars but little depth on the bench. Maybe gets 250-300 ABs and provides some pop. Should do better than Cruz or Carpenter did at DH. That bar is set pretty low.
If your roster’s on the blink go get Cal
It may be later than you think, go get Cal
Put him in left and pray,
That he don’t get DFA’d
Go get Cal go get Cal go get Cal!
@Pads Fans…
What do you mean “turn him around?” He’s got exactly 232 ML PAs, and you’re already calling him a failure? He’s essentially a rookie.